I believe it is also tied up with inherent (but not unchangeable) metaphysical characteristics of the individual's personality. In Kundalini Yoga terminology, it is avoidance of awakening the Vajra Nadi, or an affliction of Swadhisthana Chakra. In short, fear of the unconscious karmas, fear of sexual awakening, the inability to control urinary urges, fear of pain, attachment to life's pleasures, fear of vulnerability, all things which I could recognise in myself (prior to my yoga training) and can see as characteristics which Shivaprem exhibits in many ways.
   Some may say - "what does it matter if you don't crawl, so long as you get to walk". But I think that is avoiding the issue of a balanced and holistic physical / mental development. Later on in life, when certain brain patterns become evident, there are ways of re-establishing those "missing" connections. Yoga has done it for me and I will offer those methods to Shivaprem as she grows to help her awaken in areas she may be lacking. When she was beginning to crawl, I had never considered just how important it could be. I had heard that lack of crawling might cause developmental problems, but she made such a fuss when I tried to help her to crawl (and she's very stubborn) that she very quickly made up her own way of getting around - bum shuffling. She walked soon after and that was that. My next baby, Omtara, crawled quite happily. This proved (to me, at least) that, more than genes, pre-natal conditions or early upbringing, Shivaprem's resistance to crawling was a quirk of her own particular metaphysical nature.
   From crawling (or bum shuffling), also comes high kneeing (Figure 46) with arms stretching up, firstly begging for things, and secondly holding on to things like cupboard handles and low railings from which comes pulling up into a one-legged and then two-legged supported squat.

Squatting and Standing
   From high kneeling and reaching up comes pulling up into a one-legged squat (Figure 47a) and then a two-legged pull-up squat from things within reach (Figure 47b). The goal of standing (supported) has then been achieved (Figure 47c).

   For babies and adults alike, squats develop leg strength, back strength, co-ordinate balance, open the chest, open the pelvis, improve excretory function, as well as getting the child used to another level of life above those of crawling and sitting. Pull-up squats and supported standing allows walking along walls, ledges and furniture sideways and encourages a range of stretching up postures like Tadasana (Figure 48a). Here they often get encouragement from parents who hold them as they stumble their first few forward steps (Figure 48b) . This actually doesn't help them to walk any sooner. To walk unaided, their brain needs to properly develop its centre of balance which will come more quickly from their own unsupported trial and error attempts, than by "helping" them to walk by leading them in premature forward footsteps.
   At some point after supported walking they finally get the courage to let go of all support (Figure 48c). As they begin to walk off from a standing position there is not so much hesitation as there was at their first moments of crawling since their